RTD Operations & Technical Manager (Temporary Contract - 18 months)

RTD Operations & Technical Manager (Temporary Contract - 18 months)

Location: Windsor, ON, Canada

Company Name: Hiram Walker & Sons Ltd.

Hiram Walker and Corby’s portfolio of owned brands include some of the most renowned brands in Canada, including JP Wisers, Canadian Whisky, Lamb's Rum, and Polar Ice Vodka. Corby distributes leading Pernod Ricard international brands such as ABSOLUT Vodka, Chivas Regal, Glenlivet, Ballantine’s Scotch Whiskies, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Beefeater Gin, Malibu Rum, Kahlua Liqueur, Mumm Champagne, Jacob's Creek, Wyndham Estate and Stoneleigh wines.

We were named one of Canada’s Best Workplaces for 7 years by The Great Place to Work Institute Canada, based on employee survey results and an audit of workplace excellence and people management practices.

Position Summary

• This position is a temporary contract position that is part of the Global RTD Business unit responsible for the development, delivery, and management of Pernod Ricard’s RTD portfolio in accordance with all quality, regulatory, and legal requirements.

Purpose/Strategic Direction for the Position

• This role is the key RTD operations leadership role in the NA region to ensure all RTD operations are executed to the necessary quality and GMP standards and to enable Pernod Ricard to achieve its volume, net sales, and profit ambitions.
• Manage the production of all existing and new RTD SKUs in the region through internal production facilities and co-packers.
• Lead all operations & technical projects related to RTD in the NA region.
• Collaborate with innovation teams to deliver NPD projects on time according to brief.
• Manage and assure the execution of RTD projects covering new technologies and process improvements, focusing on cost reduction, marketing strategies, and production gains, also aiming at the sustainable development of material and energy resources.
• Lead relevant projects to deliver new product and/or packaging innovations and value engineering opportunities for RTD/Convenience products/packaging.
• Provide technical and quality support to the commercialization of new product innovations from concept through to industrialization and scaling.

Key Responsibilities

- Technical / Quality:

• Overall responsibility to ensure all RTD products produced in the NA region meet the highest standards of quality and sensory.
• Responsible for quality KPI and consumer complaint reporting for the relevant regions.
• Responsible for and ensuring the creation and maintenance of accurate and functional packaging specifications in collaboration with suppliers, co-packers, and procurement to achieve optimum operational efficiency.
• Rollout of the RTD Quality Roadmap for the relevant region.
• Lead commercialization of RTD innovation and new launches at internal production sites or at co-packers.
• Ensure all necessary quality & traceability documentation for produced brands is available for co-packers.
• Control all technical specifications/Product Manual for RTD related packaging and wet-goods components used in co-packing or in-house operations.
• Ensure all specifications meet regulatory agency requirements.
• Propose modifications to existing packaging for RTDs to improve production efficiency, reduce scrap, improve logistics, or reduce cost.
• Participate in regular meetings with Marketing & Operations to review project milestones, new production or packaging requirements, identifying risks & opportunities, and agree next required actions.
• Operational & Technical lead on new production site openings in the region.
• Manage production performance with internal partners or with co-packers from cost and quality point of view.
• Ensure all product specification approvals are achieved and system databases updated in time to meet project deadlines at co-packers.
• Participate in qualification process of new formats or new equipment co-packer.
• Lead new supplier approval process from a quality/technical perspective in collaboration with Procurement teams.

- RTD Planning & Customer Service:

• Oversight of the RTD planning performance by the local planning teams to deliver target KPI’s in service level, inventory, and product obsolescence.
• Collate & report all S&OP KPI reports for all RTD activities in the region.
• Continuously drive improvement in planning practices to enhance overall RTD performance in the region.
• Participate in route to market projects with the wider business as a representative of the RTD supply chain.

- Cost Optimization:

• Lead all cost optimization activities & projects for RTD product COGs and supply chain activities in the region.
• Contribute to annual budgeting process to ensure all cost improvement initiatives are captured.
• Drive a continuous improvement culture in cost control for all RTD operational activities.
• Collaborate with the RTD BU teams in other regions to share and implement best practice in cost optimization in product & process.

Qualifications and Key Capabilities

• Minimum of 10 years’ experience of working in an FMCG manufacturing environment in a quality, technical or engineering role.
• Very advantageous to have a depth of understanding of low abv alcohol beverage manufacturing and particularly flavoured beverages.
• Ability to drive change, influence stakeholders and embed a continuous improvement culture in the end-to-end operations.
• Critical to have a background in project management and excellent multi-tasking skills to be able to work with many levels of management whilst balancing various project deadlines and driving results in an evolving and fast-paced environment.
• Team leadership and people development expertise.
• Operational background with experience in supply chain management and customer service preferred, ideally liquid development as well but not a must have.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Fluent in English.
• Travel may be required (30-35%).

Education:

• Master of Science in Engineering or equivalent.

We welcome and encourage applications from individuals from all groups, including Indigenous, women, visible minorities, and persons with disabilities, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, creed, family status, national origin, age, and gender.

Pernod Ricard and its Canadian Affiliates Corby Spirit and Wine Limited, and Hiram Walker & Sons Ltd. are committed to providing accessible employment practices. Should you require accommodation during any phase of the recruitment process or wish to view our accommodation policies, please contact the Human Resources Department at Accessibilty.Canada@pernod-ricard.com.

Job Posting End Date:

Target Hire Date: 2024-11-01

Target End Date: 2026-05-01